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The Ministry of Agriculture is promoting artificial insemination of pigs as a feasible and highly economical method of improving the local pig industry and meeting the high demand for pork.
The Ministry’s research officer, Isikeli Raisuqe, said their research findings reveal that artificial insemination is more economical compared to natural reproduction methods.
“Our research indicate that importing live animals or keeping a boar (male pig) for reproductive purposes is more expensive. Keeping a boar, for instance, costs an average of $500 on feed alone. On top of this, boars mate only twice a year meaning there is low productivity.
He said pig farmers are slowly realising the benefits of artificial insemination.
“The ministry used to receive between 30 and 40 requests per year, but in the past 3 months alone, we have already received 30 requests for artificial insemination,” he said.
Mr Raisuqe said the ministry recognises that pig production is an important rural industry that contributes significantly to the local economy and that the ministry continues to develop on-farm technologies and practices to maximise pig production.
The ministry provides free advise and services on artificial insemination. It also provides pure breeds of animals at reasonable price and it is urging farmers to take advantage of this as well.
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(No.0721)
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